Protests Continue While Wilson College May Become Co-Ed
By: Dana Chicklas
Updated: November 30, 2012
CHAMBERSBURG, PA - It's a women's college, but since 1982 Wilson College allowed men to enroll in their Adult Degree Programs, making up more than ten percent of the student body.
Now the School wants higher enrollment, and thinks becoming fully co-ed could help pay off debt.
"We've been running an annual deficit in three of the last four years, and we currently have $31 million in debt," says Brian Speer, the Vice President of Marketing and Communications with Wilson College.
Both sides feel they are not being heard; they say administrators are only focused on this decision.
Some of the Freshman say the campus was plastered with signs protesting becoming co-ed just weeks ago. Now students say that they, and some of their colleagues, are actually considering transferring from the school just because of all the fuss.
"They make it seem like when guys come it's going to change everything, that we're going to lose our traditions, but I don't really think that's going to happen," says Frankie Cline, a freshman at Wilson College. "I think if we're as strong as we said we are that things will stay the same just with guys."
"Being a women's college is a big deal, but I also feel most of the people that are protesting this are the seniors or juniors, who are going to be leaving soon," says Shayna Lehman, a freshman at Wilson College. "Even if they do go co-ed, they're not going to get that many guy applications withing the first year or two. So it's going to take a while for that to build-up."
Those who support all-women education say it gives students more leadership opportunities.
"Studies have shown, we graduate women that are more prepared to take on a prominent role in the world after graduation," says Ariel Huffman, a senior at Wilson College.
Many Alumnae who we spoke with say they will stop donating money to the School if it becomes co-ed.
"There's something very special and unique that happens at a women's college. It's just a chance to have leadership opportunities," says Carol Noon, an Alumna of Wilson College, '87. "In a women's college, like Wilson, women take on those roles. They speak out in the classroom, they're head of the student government, they run the student newspaper."
It's a decision that carries a lot of weight that could effect next semester's enrollment dramatically.
To see the Alumnae recommendations and petition against Wilson College becoming co-ed, see their website here.
Now the School wants higher enrollment, and thinks becoming fully co-ed could help pay off debt.
"We've been running an annual deficit in three of the last four years, and we currently have $31 million in debt," says Brian Speer, the Vice President of Marketing and Communications with Wilson College.
Both sides feel they are not being heard; they say administrators are only focused on this decision.
Some of the Freshman say the campus was plastered with signs protesting becoming co-ed just weeks ago. Now students say that they, and some of their colleagues, are actually considering transferring from the school just because of all the fuss.
"They make it seem like when guys come it's going to change everything, that we're going to lose our traditions, but I don't really think that's going to happen," says Frankie Cline, a freshman at Wilson College. "I think if we're as strong as we said we are that things will stay the same just with guys."
"Being a women's college is a big deal, but I also feel most of the people that are protesting this are the seniors or juniors, who are going to be leaving soon," says Shayna Lehman, a freshman at Wilson College. "Even if they do go co-ed, they're not going to get that many guy applications withing the first year or two. So it's going to take a while for that to build-up."
Those who support all-women education say it gives students more leadership opportunities.
"Studies have shown, we graduate women that are more prepared to take on a prominent role in the world after graduation," says Ariel Huffman, a senior at Wilson College.
Many Alumnae who we spoke with say they will stop donating money to the School if it becomes co-ed.
"There's something very special and unique that happens at a women's college. It's just a chance to have leadership opportunities," says Carol Noon, an Alumna of Wilson College, '87. "In a women's college, like Wilson, women take on those roles. They speak out in the classroom, they're head of the student government, they run the student newspaper."
It's a decision that carries a lot of weight that could effect next semester's enrollment dramatically.
To see the Alumnae recommendations and petition against Wilson College becoming co-ed, see their website here.
